2/17/2013 |
Phillips to live dream in World Baseball ClassicBack in 1996, Brandon Phillips lived one of the more unique baseball experiences by serving as a bat boy during the Olympic Games in Atlanta. The experience was a motivating factor behind Phillips' decision to play in the World Baseball Classic

2/17/2013 |
Mastroianni likely to win center-field jobAfter his experience with the Twins last season, Darin Mastroianni is the favorite to win the center-field competition this spring, but he said Sunday that he knows the job won't be handed to him

2/17/2013 |
Galvis tries to move past injury, suspensionFreddy Galvis and Kevin Frandsen entered camp last week as favorites to be the team's two utility infielders, and Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he sees a scenario in which Galvis starts 50-60 games. But Galvis will have to prove himself on a couple of fronts to stick: he has to stay healthy and produce while playing clean.

2/17/2013 |
Koufax arrives, eager to take on new role with clubA Dodgers team loaded with big names welcomed the biggest name of all to Spring Training on Sunday. Sandy Koufax, the iconic Hall of Famer recently hired as special assistant to chairman Mark Walter, arrived for the final 15 minutes of Sunday's practice.

2/17/2013 |
Gio to stay with Nats, miss first round of ClassicNationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez, a late addition to the Team USA starting rotation for the World Baseball Classic, will not join the team until the second round of the tournament, should the United States advance.

2/17/2013 |
Trade rumors behind him, Kubel's focus on fieldJason Kubel's name had been mentioned in trade talks throughout the winter, and it wasn't until Arizona finally dealt outfielder Justin Upton to Atlanta late last month that Kubel's return to the desert was assured. "It's all talk, but when it's all you hear, it's pretty hard not to think about it," Kubel said.

2/17/2013 |
Key to Bucs' chemistry: Location, location, locationIf there truly is such a thing as clubhouse chemistry, the Pirates' master chemist is Scott Bonnett. He is the one who mixes and matches team elements, and affects whether the final blend flows smoothly or perhaps blows up into a mess.

2/17/2013 |
Weaver on track for another Opening Day startIf healthy, Jered Weaver will be the Angels' Opening Day starter. That's obvious. He's been the Opening Day starter the last three years, and it was perhaps even more obvious than ever going into this season that he'd get the nod again.

2/17/2013 |
Prospect Martinez remains delayed by visa issuesThe Cardinals are nearly a week into Spring Training, and right-hander Carlos Martinez remains a no-show due to visa issues restricting him from leaving the Dominican Republic. General manager John Mozeliak said, too, that the club has still not been given any indication on when to anticipate his arrival.

2/17/2013 |
Weeks' comeback in 2013 a family affairBoth Weeks brothers are back for 2013, Rickie having further cemented his role as the Brewers' starting second baseman with a strong finish to 2012, and Jemile back in A's camp trying to win back his old job.

2/17/2013 |
Finger injury kept Grandal from hitting all winterSuspended Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal revealed Sunday that he hasn't picked up a bat all winter, the result of two inflamed tendons in his left middle finger. Grandal, who will miss the first 50 games of the season for testing positive for testosterone, will hit for the first time Monday on a practice field.

2/17/2013 |
Aviles driven by past experiencesMike Aviles' story is one about overcoming odds and proving people wrong. It is a tale of fighting his way up through the Minor Leagues after an insulting signing bonus. It is about realizing his dream of becoming a highly-praised big leaguer. His story also includes a treacherous drive through a frightening snow storm.

2/17/2013 |
Jeter expects to be ready for Opening DayDerek Jeter's schedule will be lighter than usual while he returns from a left ankle injury this spring, but the Yankees' shortstop said that he expects to be ready for Opening Day.

2/17/2013 |
Clemens pitching in with Astros as special instructorRoger Clemens arrived Sunday at Astros Spring Training camp for the first of about four days he'll spend there this week as a special instructor. He'll also go back and forth between Florida and Houston two more times this spring.

2/17/2013 |
Clubs, players likely to avoid arbitration in 2013Thanks but no thanks, third parties. Major League teams and their arbitration-eligible players handled things just fine on their own this offseason. For the first time since the arbitration process started in 1974, it appears that Major League Baseball will not have an arbitration hearing this year.

2/16/2013 |
Werth's left wrist much improvedOn Jan. 26, Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth said his wrist was not as strong as he would like it to be. Last season, Werth broke his left wrist on May 6 against the Phillies, an injury that kept him out of action until early August.

2/16/2013 |
Former pitcher Owings at the bat for NatsRight-hander Micah Owings will not pitch for the Nationals this year; he will play first base and the outfield. Owings was one of the best-hitting pitchers in the big leagues.

2/16/2013 |
Numbers game: Sveum surrenders No. 33 to VillanuevaCubs manager Dale Sveum noticed that pitcher Carlos Villanueva had No. 33 on his cleats. Villanueva has worn No. 33 most of his career, while Sveum has that number now with the Cubs. The manager, though, is giving up 33 to the pitcher, and will wear No. 4